Control Automation Feature Library

Operations Engineer's library catalogues editorial features going back five years.

Access to all archive material is free to all, including non-members of IPlantE (the Institution of Operations Engineers) or BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), under the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

07/01/2021 Condition monitoring and vibration analysis best practice guide Vibration analysis is not condition monitoring, and condition monitoring is not vibration analysis. Their similarities and differences, their uses and technicalities are explored here. By Colin Pickett, independent consultant, formerly ... » Read More

07/01/2021 Pandemic sparks RIDDOR surge Reporting of COVID-19 incidences to enforcing authorities have been accelerating, even when these were not work-related and so not reportable, reports Brian Wall » Read More

07/01/2021 A nation alone - protecting the safety of lone workers Since March, many office staff have switched to work at home most or all of their time, many of whom are essentially lone workers. Merely relying on the day-to-day business activity may not be enough to protect all members of staff » Read More

17/12/2020 Transport & distribution: Dock, stock and barrel Loading bays may consist of more than a poured concrete ledge and rubber bumpers. Equipment including dock levellers, doors and bay shelters facilitating operations also require care and maintenance. By John Challen » Read More

17/12/2020 Disposal: reducing waste Shredders and balers can help reduce packaging waste volumes. How can plants select the most-suitable machinery, and what are their maintenance/service requirements? By Steed Webzell » Read More

10/12/2020 Lifts: heat to power Lift drives that capture energy generated by the system can help reduce electricity bills, but the savings depend on the specific installation » Read More

10/12/2020 Step change at Blackpool Tower Blackpool Tower’s 126-year-old external staircase is to be removed as part of a wider renovation project. A decision on how the staircase will be replaced is being evaluated. By Brian Wall » Read More

03/12/2020 SKF builds a new model to better understand hybrid bearing performance For more than 50 years, hybrid bearings, which use ceramic silicon nitride rolling elements and steel rings, have been the preferred choice for high-speed, high-precision equipment. After a recently-completed testing programme, SKF ... » Read More

03/12/2020 Augmented reality and engineering projects Augmented reality (AR) has been on the ‘emerging technology trend’ list for many years, but initially saw a slow adoption curve. However, a variety of real-world applications are beginning to emerge. Has the time come to take AR seriously? ... » Read More

03/12/2020 A new coat: alternatives to hexavalent chromium Zinc and chrome coatings have been widely used to protect against corrosion an improve surface properties since the industrial revolution. However, these coatings have historically used hexavalent chromium, which is highly toxic to both ... » Read More

26/11/2020 Isolation and tag-out procedures Equipment that is offline for maintenance must be properly isolated from power, water, air and other sources to protect the safety of the people working on it, as well as the integrity of the process and equipment. But what are the ... » Read More

26/11/2020 A guide to UKCA marking From 1 January 2021, UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) marking will replace CE marking as a requirement for goods entering the Great Britain market, including England, Scotland and Wales. This will affect all product manufacturers. Finch ... » Read More

19/11/2020 Raising the standard Next year, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway along Cardigan Bay, Wales celebrates its 125th anniversary carrying tourists up to the top of Constitution Hill 97m above sea level. A new control system will keep it running safety for the ... » Read More

19/11/2020 The potential of servitisation for manufacturers Most businesses will say that the digital revolution is making them more customer-centric, but there is a delivery gap between companies’ beliefs about their customer service, and customers’ opinions. This is how connecting with the ... » Read More

12/11/2020 Repair and the circular economy An EU research project aims to lead the way in the reuse and recycling of industrial equipment. By Toby Clark » Read More

12/11/2020 Inefficient pump: fix or replace? Weighing the factors involved in this decision involves considering the wider process and supply chain context. By Steed Webzell » Read More

10/11/2020 Comment: The case for time-sensitive networking, by CLPA Europe general manager ... As automation plant lifecycles typically last many years, it is essential to know what technologies show the most promise of longevity, rapid return on investment (ROI) and clear technical benefits. » Read More

05/11/2020 Solar lighting for industrial buildings - UPDATED 26 January 2020 With unpowered light systems gaining popularity in the domestic market, is there scope for production environments to enjoy the same advantages? By Steed Webzell » Read More

05/11/2020 Retrofitting motion controls in commercial building lighting Retrofitting workplace spaces with motion-controlled lighting conserves power and helps slash energy costs. But can you keep the existing lights or is it a matter of ‘rip and replace’? By Brian Wall » Read More

27/10/2020 Reviewing the new MOD maintenance contracts for mobile plant While the MOD buys special-purpose vehicles for warfare, such as tanks, the civil and transport works that create its supply chain tend to use commercial off-the-shelf industrial machinery. Three different contracts for the maintenance of ... » Read More

27/10/2020 Master dashboard A collaborative, non-profit initiative to serve internet-of-things data across any number of devices and assets, is now gearing up for the next phase of rollout. According to its founders, its development is seen as the natural evolution ... » Read More

22/10/2020 Robotank Remotely-piloted autonomous drone aircraft have changed the face of warfare in the last decade or so, by removing human pilots altogether. Now, a new generation of autonomous vehicles are being developed that do the donkey work of ground ... » Read More

22/10/2020 Should military aircraft technicians be licenced to a common European standard? Defence cuts are nothing new. The UK’s armed forces’ role changes as frequently as the Guard. But now the UK government has announced it doesn’t want its military aircraft technicians licenced to a common European standard. What are its ... » Read More

14/10/2020 Safety all the way through How can owners and safety regulators be confident that a plant won't pose a danger to staff or the local community when something untoward occurs: a blackout, a lightning strike, human error. This is the realm of functional safety. By Toby ... » Read More

14/10/2020 Are digital twins double trouble? Why should you bother making a digital twin, and how do you go about creating one anyway? By Jody Muelaner » Read More